Lucius

Brutus

[To Lucius] Hey, Lucius, hello! [Aside to himself] I can't tell by the position of the stars how close it is to dawn. Lucius, I say! I wish my vice was sleeping too well. When are you getting here, Lucius? [To Lucius] Wake up, I say! Hey, Lucius!

[Enter Lucius]

Lucius

Did you call, my lord?

Brutus

Get me a candle for my office, Lucius. When it's lit, come and call me.

Lucius

I will, my lord.

[Exit]

Called you, my lord?

Brutus

Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.

When it is lighted, come and call me here.

Lucius

I will, my lord.

[Exit Lucius.]

Brutus

Performance

Lines 10-34

[Click to launch video.]

It must be by his death; and, for my part,

I know no personal cause to spurn at him,

But for the general. He would be crowned —

How that might change his nature, there's the question.

It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,

And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,

Metaphor

"the bright day"

Metaphor

"the bright day"

It’s on sunny days that you must be careful about stepping on a snake, as that’s when they come out into the open to warm themselves. Likewise, it’s at this time of peace following the end of the civil war that the Romans should be wary of Caesar seizing too much power.

And then, I grant, we put a sting in him

That at his will he may do danger with.

Brutus

He must die. Now, as for me, I don't have any personal reason to remove him, except for the general welfare of Rome. He wants to be king, and how that would change his nature—that’s the question. It's in broad daylight when things seem safest that snakes come out and one must be careful when walking, just as we must be most careful in proceeding in this matter. By crowning him we would be giving him a weapon which he could use against us at his will. Abuse of power happens when the individual separates conscience from the use of that power. To speak honestly about Caesar, I've never known a time when his emotions ruled him more than his reason. But it's a common observed fact that humility serves as a ladder for young ambitious men. But once they've reached the top rung, they turn their backs on the ladder, looking only upward to the clouds, and have nothing but scorn for the lower levels which have helped them make their way up. Caesar may be like that.

The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins

Remorse from power, and — to speak truth of Caesar —

I have not known when his affections swayed

More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,

That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,

Wordplay

"ambition's ladder"

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

"ambition's ladder"

We're familiar with the metaphor of the ladder of success. Caesar, like many politically ambitious youths, climbed the ladder of success by cultivating his popularity among the “lowliness,” the lower classes. Brutus thinks that Caesar, like the others, will turn his back on the plebeians once he’s achieved the heights of power.

But there’s a cleverness in Brutus’ choice of words. “Lowliness” can also mean humility, and it’s through his display of humility that Caesar developed his popularity among the plebeians. Finally, “base degrees” can also mean lower steps—the bottom rungs of the ladder in the metaphor.

Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;

But when he once attains the upmost round

He then unto the ladder turns his back,

Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees

By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.

Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel

Will bear no color for the thing he is,

Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,

Would run to these and these extremities;

And therefore think him as a serpent's egg —

(Brutus)

Then, in case he is, we should prevent his ascent. Since this accusation would not be supported by how he is now, the argument against him should be fashioned in this way: given what he is now, with the addition of the power of a crown, will lead to excessive behavior. Therefore, think of him as a snake's egg, which, while not dangerous as it is, will inevitably become deadly as all snakes are. So it would be better to kill him in the shell.

[Re-enter Lucius]

Lucius

The candle's been lit in your study, sir. While I was looking on the windowsill for a piece of flint, I found this paper sealed up like this, and I'm positive it wasn't there when I went to bed.

[Gives him the letter]

Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous —

And kill him in the shell.

[Re-enter Lucius.]

Lucius

The taper burneth in your closet, sir.

Searching the window for a flint, I found

This paper, thus sealed up; and I am sure

It did not lie there when I went to bed.

[Gives him the letter.]

Brutus

Get you to bed again, it is not day.

Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March?

Lucius

Brutus

Go back to bed, it's not yet day. Boy, isn't tomorrow the 15th of March?

Lucius

I don't know, sir.

Brutus

Look at the calendar and come tell me.

Lucius

I will, sir.

[Exit]

I know not, sir.

Brutus

Look in the calendar and bring me word.

Lucius

I will, sir.

[Exit Lucius.]

Brutus

Performance

Lines 44-58

[Click to launch video.]

The exhalations whizzing in the air

Give so much light that I may read by them.

[Opens the letter and reads.]

"Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself!

Shall Rome, et cetera. Speak, strike, redress!

Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake!"

Such instigations have been often dropped

Where I have took them up.

Brutus

The meteors flying through the sky give off so much light that I can read by them.

Many such urgings have been left where I could find them. "Shall Rome, et cetera." I have to figure it out. Shall Rome be ruled by one man? What, Rome? My ancestors drove Tarquin from the streets when he became a king. "Speak up, attack, right the wrongs!" Are they begging me to speak up and take violent action? Oh Rome, I promise you, if there's justice to be restored, my hand will demand it!

[Re-enter Lucius]

"Shall Rome, et cetera." Thus must I piece it out:

Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?

My ancestors did from the streets of Rome

The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king.

Allusion

"did from the streets of Rome / The Tarquin drive"

Allusion

"did from the streets of Rome / The Tarquin drive"

It was Brutus’ famous ancestor who, centuries earlier, led the rebellion which overthrew the tyrant Tarquin king and established the Roman Republic.

"Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated

To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise:

If the redress will follow, thou receivest

Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!

[Re-enter Lucius.]

Lucius

Sir, March is wasted fourteen days.

[Knocking within.]

Brutus

'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.

[Exit Lucius.]

Performance

Lines 61-69

[Click to launch video.]

Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar

Word Nerd

"whet"

[Click to launch video]

I have not slept.

Lucius

Sir, today is March 15th.

[Knocking off stage]

Brutus

Good. Go to the gate, someone's knocking.

[Exit Lucius]

I haven't slept since Cassius first roused me to act against Caesar. This time before carrying out a dreadful act, but after the first idea of it, is like an illusion or a terrible dream. The rational mind and physical impulses are in conflict, which makes the human being like a little kingdom suffering from a rebellion.

[Re-enter Lucius]

Between the acting of a dreadful thing

And the first motion, all the interim is

Like a phantasma or a hideous dream.

The genius and the mortal instruments

Are then in council, and the state of man,

As a little kingdom, suffers then

The nature of an insurrection.

[Re-enter Lucius.]

Lucius

Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,

Who doth desire to see you.

Brutus

Is he alone?

Lucius

Lucius

Sir, your brother-in-law Cassius is at the door and wants to see you.

Brutus

Is he alone?

Lucius

No, sir, there are other people with him.

Brutus

Do you know them?

Lucius

No, sir, they have their hats pulled down low over their ears, and half of their faces are hidden in their cloaks, so I have know way to know who they are by looking at them.

No, sir, there are more with him.

Brutus

Do you know them?

Lucius

No, sir, their hats are plucked about their ears,

And half their faces buried in their cloaks,

That by no means I may discover them

By any mark of favor.

Brutus

Let 'em enter.

[Exit Lucius.]

Performance

Lines 77-85

[Click to launch video.]

They are the faction. O conspiracy,

Sham'st thou to show thy dang'rous brow by night,

When evils are most free? O then, by day

Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough

To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;

Hide it in smiles and affability;

For if thou path, thy native semblance on,

Brutus

Let them enter.

[Exit Lucius]

They are Cassius' faction against Caesar. Oh, conspiracy, are you too ashamed to show your dangerous face even at night when evil most free to walk about? Then where will you find a dark enough cave in the daytime to mask your monstrous face? Don't look for a cave, conspiracy. Hide yourself in smiles and cheerfulness, for if you showed your true face, even Hell itself wouldn't be dark enough to keep you from being detected and your plans prevented.

Brutus

Cassius

Brutus

Cassius

Yes, every single man. And there is no man here that doesn't think you're honorable. Every man here wishes you had the same opinion of yourself that all noble Romans have of you. This is Trebonius.

Brutus

He is welcome here.

Cassius

This is Decius Brutus.

Brutus

He is welcome too.

Cassius

This is Casca, this is Cinna, and this is Metellus Cimber.

Brutus

They are all welcome. What's keeping you all up at night?

Cassius

Can I have a word?

[Brutus and Cassius whisper.]

He is welcome too.

Cassius

This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.

Brutus

They are all welcome.

What watchful cares do interpose themselves

Betwixt your eyes and night?

Cassius

Shall I entreat a word?

[Brutus and Cassius whisper.]

Decius Brutus

Here lies the east. Doth not the day break here?

Casca

No.

Cinna

O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon grey lines

That fret the clouds are messengers of day.

Casca

You shall confess that you are both deceived.

Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,

Decius Brutus

This is east. Doesn't the sun rise here?

Casca

No.

Cinna

Oh, excuse me, sir, it does. Those grey lines in the clouds that look like frets on a violin signal the rising sun.

Casca

You'll both have to admit you're wrong. Here, the way I'm pointing my sword, is where the sun rises, which is very much towards the south since it's not that long since winter. In two months the sun will rise up higher toward the north, and due east is in the direction of the Capitol building, right there.

Brutus

[To all the conspirators] Everyone give me your hands, one by one.

Cassius

And let us swear our resolution to our task.

Which is a great way growing on the south,

Weighing the youthful season of the year.

Some two months hence, up higher toward the north

He first presents his fire, and the high east

Stands as the Capitol, directly here.

Brutus

[To all the conspirators] Give me your hands all over, one by one.

Cassius

And let us swear our resolution.

Brutus

Performance

Lines 114-140

[Click to launch video.]

No, not an oath. If not the face of men,

The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse —

If these be motives weak, break off betimes,

And every man hence to his idle bed;

So let high-sighted tyranny range on,

Wordplay

"high-sighted"

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

"high-sighted"

This line contains a double meaning:

Caesar's tyranny is aimed at even the highest nobles of Rome.

Caesar is like a hawk that flies high in order to have a good view of all the creatures it can prey upon.

Till each man drop by lottery. But if these —

As I am sure they do — bear fire enough

Brutus

No, not an oath. If we can't be motivated by the sad faces of our fellow men, the suffering of our souls, and the oppression of this time, let's break off and go back to our beds; so let ambitious tyranny rage on until each of us dies according to Caesar's whims. But if these reasons are enough, which I'm sure they are, to inflame cowards, and to strengthen our effeminate sprits with valor, what other spur do we need to prod us to redress the wrongs? What other bond do we need than being discreet Romans who have given their word and would never renege? What other oath do we need than honest men committed to each other, knowing that they will either triumph together or die trying?

To kindle cowards, and to steel with valor

The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,

What need we any spur but our own cause,

To prick us to redress? What other bond

Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,

And will not palter? And what other oath

Than honesty to honesty engaged,

That this shall be, or we will fall for it?

Swear priests, and cowards, and men cautelous,

Old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls

That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear

Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain

The even virtue of our enterprise,

(Brutus)

Swearing is for priests and cowards and cautious men, for feeble old people and the kind of suffering souls that welcome abuse; swear such men who cannot be trusted to bad causes. But don't tarnish the virtue of our action or our unconquerable spirit by thinking that our cause or our action needs an oath—when anyone claiming to be a true son of Rome would be proved an if he breaks the smallest piece of an oath he swore.

Nor th'insuppressive mettle of our spirits,

To think that, or our cause, or our performance

Did need an oath — when every drop of blood

That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,

Is guilty of a several bastardy

If he do break the smallest particle

Of any promise that hath passed from him.

Cassius

But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?

I think he will stand very strong with us.

Casca

Let us not leave him out.

Cinna

No, by no means.

Metellus Cimber

Cassius

But what about Cicero? Should we sound him out on our plan? I think he will strongly support us.

Casca

Let's not leave him out.

Cinna

No, by no means.

Metellus Cimber

Oh, let's recruit him, for his older age will make people think well of us and make many speak favorably of us. People will say that we were ruled by his wise judgment. Our youth and rashness will not show, overshadowed by his dignified gravity.

Brutus

Don't suggest him. Let's not bring the matter up with him. He'll never go along with a plan other men have come up with.

O, let us have him, for his silver hairs

Will purchase us a good opinion,

And buy men's voices to commend our deeds.

It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands.

Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,

But all be buried in his gravity.

Brutus

O, name him not. Let us not break with him,

For he will never follow anything

That other men begin.

Cassius

Then leave him out.

Casca

Indeed he is not fit.

Decius Brutus

Shall no man else be touched but only Caesar?

Cassius

Cassius

Then leave him out.

Casca

Indeed, he's not a good fit.

Decius Brutus

Are we just going after Caesar?

Cassius

Good question Decius. I don't think it's a good idea for Mark Antony, who is so beloved by Caesar, should be left alive. You'll find him a cunning strategist, and if he builds up his power, it may grow so much as to harm all of us. To prevent this, let's kill Caesar and Antony together.

Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet,

Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,

Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him

A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means,

If he improve them, may well stretch so far

As to annoy us all; which to prevent,

Let Antony and Caesar fall together.

Brutus

Performance

Lines 163-184a

[Click to launch video.]

Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,

To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,

Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;

For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.

Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.

Word Nerd

"sacrificers"

[Click to launch video]

We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,

And in the spirit of men there is no blood.

O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,

And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,

Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,

Brutus

No, our actions will seem to bloodthirsty, Caius Cassius, if we cut off the head of evil and then hack off the limbs in what would seem a fury of killing and cruelty, for Antony is just an arm of Caesar's. Let's be seen as making a sacrifice to the gods for the welfare of Rome, not bloody butchers, Caius. We're attacking the spirit of Caesar, and that spirit doesn't consist of blood. If only we could access Caesar's spirit without dismembering Caesar. But, alas, Caesar has to bleed. And gentle friends, let's be bold when killing him, but not full of rage. Let's carve him like an offering to the gods, not hack him like a carcass thrown to the dogs. We'll be like shrewd masters who enrage their servants to some bloody action, then afterwards make a fuss of criticizing them for their violence; we'll profess that our hearts regret what our hands have done. Thus, our deed comes from necessity, not from jealousy. If it seems like this to the common people, they will see us as purgers, not murders. As for Mark Antony, don't worry about him. He can't do any more than Caesar's arm after Caesar's head is cut off.

Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;

Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,

Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.

And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,

Stir up their servants to an act of rage,

Metaphor

"Stir up their servants"

[Click to launch video.]

And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make

Our purpose necessary, and not envious;

Which so appearing to the common eyes,

We shall be called purgers, not murderers.

And for Mark Antony, think not of him,

For he can do no more than Caesar's arm

When Caesar's head is off.

Cassius

Yet I fear him,

For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar —

Brutus

Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:

If he love Caesar, all that he can do

Is to himself — take thought and die for Caesar.

And that were much he should, for he is given

Cassius

Still, I'm afraid of him, for he's extremely attached to Caesar...

Brutus

Oh come on, good Cassius, don't think about him. If he loves Caesar that much, the only one he would harm is himself, becoming so grief-stricken that he kills himself. And that’s the most he would do, given how he lives just for the pleasures of life: sports, parties, and socializing.

Trebonius

Nothing to fear from him. Don't kill him, he'll laugh at this afterwards.

[Clock strikes]

Brutus

Hush! Count the clock chimes.

Cassius

It's 3am.

Trebonius

It's time to split up.

To sports, to wildness, and much company.

Trebonius

There is no fear in him. Let him not die,

For he will live and laugh at this hereafter.

[Clock strikes.]

Brutus

Peace! Count the clock.

Cassius

The clock hath stricken three.

Language

"The clock"

Language

"The clock"

Shakespeare has committed a humorous anachronism, which is the attribution of something to a time period to which it doesn’t belong. It will be 1500 years before the invention of a mechanical clock that can chime on the hour.

Trebonius

'Tis time to part.

Cassius

But it is doubtful yet,

Whether Caesar will come forth today or no,

For he is superstitious grown of late,

Quite from the main opinion he held once

Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.

It may be these apparent prodigies,

The unaccustomed terror of this night,

And the persuasion of his augurers,

May hold him from the Capitol today.

Decius Brutus

Cassius

But it's still doubtful whether Caesar will come to the Capitol today or not. Lately he's become superstitious, which is very different from the opinions he used to have about spirits, dreams and religious rituals. It's possible that the strange occurrences we've seen, the unusual terrors of this night, and the advice of his fortune tellers might keep him from coming to the Capitol today.

Decius Brutus

Don't worry about that; if he decides not to go I can persuade him otherwise. He loves hearing stories of how different creatures can be deceived and betrayed: unicorns getting their horns stuck in tree trunks, bears bewildered by their image in a mirror, elephants falling into hidden pits, lions caught by camouflaged nets, and men misled by flatterers. But when I tell Caesar how smart he is not being influenced by flattery, he is, of course, extremely flattered. Leave him to me. I can adjust his mood to bring him to the Capitol.

Never fear that. If he be so resolved,

I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear

That unicorns may be betrayed with trees,

And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,

Lions with toils, and men with flatterers.

But when I tell him he hates flatterers,

He says he does, being then most flatterèd.

Let me work,

For I can give his humor the true bent,

And I will bring him to the Capitol.

Cassius

Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.

Discussion

Caesar's entourage

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

Caesar's entourage

In ancient Rome, a powerful politician would "hold court" most days in his villa where lesser noblemen would assemble to curry favor or show their political allegiance. On this important occasion, when Caesar is going to address the Senate, it would be appropriate that his supporters would accompany him to the Capitol as his entourage, much like the U. S. President entering a joint assembly of Congress followed by his Vice President and cabinet secretaries.

Brutus

By the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost?

Cinna

Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.

Metellus Cimber

Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,

Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey.

Cassius

No, all of us will be there to bring him.

Brutus

By eight o'clock. Is that the latest possible?

Cinna

Let's say that's the latest, and be sure to be there by then.

Metellus Cimber

Caius Ligarius hates Caesar, since Caesar berated him for speaking well of Pompey. I'm surprised none of you thought of him.

Brutus

Good Metellus, go see him. I've given him good reason to like me. Just send him here and I'll convince him to join us.

Brutus

Good gentlemen, look bright and cheerful. Don't let our appearances give away our intentions. Keep up the cheerful appearance like Roman actors do, with tireless spirits and composed faces. And so good day to everyone.

[Exeunt all but Brutus]

Boy! Lucius! Are you fast asleep? It doesn't matter. Enjoy the sweetness of heavy slumber. You have no troubling figures or visions that worry makes in men's brains; that's why you can sleep so deeply.

[Enter Portia]

Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter.

Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.

Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies,

Which busy care draws in the brains of men;

Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.

[Enter Portia.]

Portia

Brutus, my lord!

Brutus

Portia! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now?

It is not for your health thus to commit

Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.

Portia

Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,

Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper

Portia

Brutus, my lord!

Brutus

Portia! What are you doing? Why are you awake now? It's not good for your health to bring yourself and your weak disposition out into such a raw, cold morning.

Portia

It's not good for your health either. You suddenly left our bed, and yesterday during dinner you suddenly got up and walked around, thinking to yourself and sighing with your arms crossed. When I asked you what was wrong, you stared at me angrily. I asked you again, and you scratched your head and stamped impatiently with your foot.

Performance

Lines 238-257

[Click to launch video.]

You suddenly arose, and walked about,

Musing, and sighing, with your arms across.

And when I asked you what the matter was,

You stared upon me with ungentle looks.

I urged you further; then you scratched your head,

And too impatiently stamped with your foot.

Yet I insisted, yet you answered not,

But with an angry wafture of your hand

Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did,

Fearing to strengthen that impatience

Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal

(Portia)

I still insisted, and you still didn't answer, but signaled with an angry wave that I should leave you. So I did, since I was afraid of making your impatience worse when it already seemed to be too strong. I hoped it was just the kind of strange mood that everyone gets once in awhile. This mood won't let you eat, or talk, or sleep. Brutus, if this mood could change your body as much as it's changed your disposition, I wouldn't recognize you. My dear lord, tell me what is causing you this grief.

Hoping it was but an effect of humor,

Which sometime hath his hour with every man.

It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,

And could it work so much upon your shape

As it hath much prevailed on your condition,

I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,

Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

Brutus

I am not well in health, and that is all.

Portia

Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health

He would embrace the means to come by it.

Brutus

Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.

Portia

Brutus

I'm feeling sick, that's all.

Portia

Brutus, you're smart, and if you were sick you would have found some way to heal yourself.

Brutus

Why, so I have, my good Portia. Now go to bed.

Portia

Brutus, if you're sick, is it healthy to walk without warm clothes breathing in the air on this dank morning? If you're sick, is it healthy to leave your restorative bed and risk catching a disease in the night, daring the flu-causing, unclean air to add to your sickness. No, my Brutus.

Performance

Lines 262-279a

[Click to launch video.]

Is Brutus sick, and is it physical

To walk unbraced and suck up the humors

Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,

And will he steal out of his wholesome bed

To dare the vile contagion of the night,

And tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd air

To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus.

You have some sick offense within your mind,

Which, by the right and virtue of my place

I ought to know of; and upon my knees

I charm you — by my once commended beauty,

By all your vows of love, and that great vow

(Portia)

You have something sick in your mind, which I should know, by rights as your wife, and by the virtue of my character. On my knees I appeal to you, by my once praised beauty, by all your vows of love, by that important vow which joined us in marriage, to reveal to me, your other half, your thoughts, why you've been so burdened, and who were those men who called upon you, for were six or seven of them that hid their faces, even from the darkness.

Brutus

Don't kneel, gentle Portia.

Which did incorporate and make us one —

That you unfold to me, your self, your half,

Why you are heavy, and what men tonight

Have had to resort to you; for here have been

Some six or seven, who did hide their faces

Even from darkness.

Brutus

Kneel not, gentle Portia.

Portia

I should not need if you were gentle Brutus.

Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,

Is it excepted I should know no secrets

That appertain to you? Am I your self

But as it were in sort or limitation,

Portia

I wouldn't need to kneel if you were "gentle Brutus"! Is it right that I shouldn't know any important secrets related to you, even though we are joined in marriage? Am I yours only in some limited way, to keep you company at meals, sleep in your bed, and talk to you sometimes? Do I only reside in the suburbs of your pleasure, like the prostitutes of London forced to practice their trade beyond the city limits? If so them consider me your whore and not your wife.

Brutus

You're my true and honorable wife, and you are as dear to my life as the red drops of blood that pass through my sad heart.

To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,

And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs

Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,

Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.

Word Nerd

"harlot"

[Click to launch video]

Brutus

You are my true and honorable wife,

As dear to me as are the ruddy drops

That visit my sad heart.

Portia

Performance

Lines 292-303a

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If this were true, then should I know this secret.

I grant I am a woman; but withal

A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.

I grant I am a woman; but withal

A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter.

Allusion

Cato

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Allusion

Cato

Portia's father, Cato, was a prominent nobleman, famous for his integrity. He fought with Pompey opposing Caesar's coming to power. But when their armies were defeated, he refused to become Caesar's prisoner like Brutus and Cassius. Instead, he chose what he considered the more honorable fate: suicide.

Portia

If that's true, then I should know this secret. I'll grant you I am a woman, but I'm the woman that Brutus chose for his wife, a woman well regarded, the daughter of the most honorable Cato. Do you think I'm no stronger than the average woman, given my father and husband? Tell me your secrets, I will not reveal them. I've proved myself to be loyal. Look, I've voluntarily wounded myself in the thigh. Can I endure that and not endure hearing my husband's secrets?

Brutus

Ligarius

Brutus

Brutus

Must be Caius Ligarius that Metellus mentioned. Boy, leave us. Ah, Caius Ligarius, how are you?

Ligarius

Please receive greetings from my weak tongue.

Brutus

Oh what a time you picked to be ill, brave Caius, I wish you weren't sick.

Ligarius

I'm not sick if you've got some honorable exploit at hand.

Brutus

I may have such an exploit in hand, Ligarius, if you have a healthy ear to hear it.

To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!

Ligarius

I am not sick if Brutus have in hand

Any exploit worthy the name of honor.

Brutus

Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,

Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.

Ligarius

By all the gods that Romans bow before,

I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome,

Brave son, derived from honorable loins,

Thou like an exorcist hast conjured up

Word Nerd

"exorcist"

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Ligarius

By all the gods Romans worship, I cast off my sickness. Brutus, soul of Rome, brave son descended from honorable ancestors, you've brought to life my dying spirit! Assign me a task, and I'll tackle the impossible; yes, I'll overcome it. What's there to do?

Brutus

A kind of work that will make sick men better.

Ligarius

But aren't there some well men that must be made sick?

My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,

And I will strive with things impossible,

Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?

Brutus

A piece of work that will make sick men whole.

Ligarius

But are not some whole that we must make sick?

Brutus

That must we also. What it is, my Caius,

I shall unfold to thee, as we are going

To whom it must be done.

Ligarius

Brutus

That too. I'll tell you what's going on, my Caius, as we're going to see the one we must make sick.

Ligarius

Start walking and with a revived heart I will follow you to do whatever; it suffices that Brutus is leading me.